Starting rotation takes another hit as Guardians place veteran pitcher on the injured list

The Cleveland Guardians find themselves in a position they have been quite familiar with this season. Placing a pitcher on the injured list. The latest addition to the IL? Alex Cobb.

Cobb was notably dealing with a blister issue, which popped up on his last start. Initially, there was hope he would could avoid heading to the injured list, but that has since gone out the window. With Cobb being placed on the IL and there being a vacant roster spot, Cleveland called up pitcher Andrew Walters in a corresponding move to bolster their bullpen.

This is the second time that Cobb has made a trip to the injured list since being acquired by the Guardians at the deadline. Cobb missed the second half of August with a fractured fingernail after making just two starts for the Guardians, both being his first two of the season due to recovering from offseason hip surgery. The hope was that Cobb would be able to rejoin the rotation and remain a part of it as the Guardians inch closer to the postseason, but it is now very apparent they will have to do so without his services.

The Guardians have been the recipients of a ton of bad luck when it comes to their pitching staff this season. This has been an issue that even goes back to Spring Training, as Gavin Williams was sidelined for most of the first half of the season due to an injury that took place in Arizona. Shane Bieber was lost for the year after just two starts, and Cobb having two IL stints in an extremely short time is the latest blow. Having the role of a starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 is becoming strikingly similar to being the drummer for Spinal Tap. It is not a question of whether something goes wrong, it is when, as this seems to become an inevitable development.